sciolist n 1: an amateur who engages in an activity without serious intentions and who pretends to have knowledge [syn: {dabbler}, {dilettante}, {sciolist}]
Sciolist \Sci"o*list\, n. [L. sciolus. See {Sciolous}.] One who knows many things superficially; a pretender to science; a smatterer. [1913 Webster] These passages in that book were enough to humble the presumption of our modern sciolists, if their pride were not as great as their ignorance. --Sir W. Temple. [1913 Webster] A master were lauded and sciolists shent. --R. Browning. [1913 Webster]